“ALIYEV STRENGTHENS HIS POWER, HE DOES NOT REFORM THE ARMED FORCES”

“Aliyev Strengthens His Power, He Does Not Reform the Armed Forces” Interview with specialist on Azerbaijan, expert on South Caucasus geopolitical issues, c.p.s. Anzhela Elibegova.

– After Ilham Aliyev’s re-election series of interesting developments happened. After 2 days of CEC’s statement on election’s results the Constitutional Court confirmed them and the same day Aliyev’s inauguration took place in the Azerbaijan parliament. Such a haste is very comic. Azerbaijan’s CEC and CC didn’t study opposition’s complaints which they had to during 14 days. The ceremony of inauguration was conducted without participation of any foreign ambassador, diplomat or guest, it was not even aired on TV. President’s press-secretary Azer Gasymov explained all these with Aliyev’s modesty which is not so serious argument. Azeri experts think that the authorities are confused since the elections’ results have been falsified. All these prove that the power has been usurped.

Elections were criticized by USA Helsinki Commission considering them as very far from international standards. USA State Department came up with a statement that they criticize the presidential elections of October 9.
Relations with Russia somehow improved after Putin’s Baku visit in August.

There are elements of cold war in Azerbaijan-Iran relations first of all because of Azerbaijan-Israel close relationship. Frequently it is spoken that there are Israeli military bases on the territory of Azerbaijan, Azeri intelligence actively work against Iran, and Azerbaijan threatens the territorial integrity of Iran

SHOUSHAN STEPANYAN